Downing Street sources have hinted that the 26-year-old - who already has an OBE - could be nominated for a knighthood as early as this year, in spite of the convention that public figures are not given a higher honor for at least four years.

"This is a major achievement. It's the first British win for 77 years," a senior No 10 source told the Daily Mail.

"If you look at what happened with Bradley Wiggins [last year], it's a fairly safe bet that Andy Murray is going to be recommended for a knighthood."

British prime minister David Cameron and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg are said to be in favor of the idea.

Sports nominations are passed to the sports honours committee, and are then referred up to the main honours committee.

Calls for Murray to be given a knighthood were echoed across the British press on Monday morning, while fellow sports stars such as former world number one Andy Roddick and cricketer Michael Vaughan also offered their support.